"We're ready now," Hernandez said after giving up seven hits and two runs with six strikeouts in six innings. "Now we're just waiting to see what's ahead, but we're ready."

The Astros beat the Hooks 7-4. The sellout crowd of 7,079 roared with approval after getting a taste of the future when Corpus Christi shortstop Carlos Correa led off the eighth with a home run to left field off Darin Downs

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Correa, the No. 3-ranked prospect in baseball, added three defensive gems and finished 2-for-5 at the plate.

Jose Altuve led off the first with an infield single. One out later, Luis Valbuena hit an RBI double to right-center field to give the Astros a 1-0 lead.

Hooks center fielder Teoscar Hernandez countered with a one-out infield single to short in the bottom of the first. He reached second on Correa's groundout to short and tied the score on Colin Moran's single to right.

Designated hitter Telvin Nash gave the Hooks a 2-1 lead in the second inning with a leadoff home run to left field against Hernandez, who will start the fifth game of the season.

"I was leaving the ball up and overthrowing, but I was able to control my emotions at the end," Hernandez said after throwing 90 pitches, 62 for strikes.

The Astros took control with a four-run rally in the third inning. George Springer drew a one-out walk, and Valbuena followed with a single to right. Michael Hauschild then hit Chris Carter with a pitch to load the bases.

Jed Lowrie capitalized with a two-run double to center. One out later, Robbie Grossman gave the Astros a 5-2 lead with a two-run single up the middle.

McCullers earnsa trip north

Class AA righthander Lance McCullers Jr., who impressed manager A.J. Hinch even though he wasn't invited to major league camp, will be with the Astros for the final two exhibition games against the defending American League champion Kansas City Royals on Friday and Saturday at Minute Maid Park.

McCullers, 21, was scheduled to face the Astros at Whataburger Field on Thursday night. He was scratched from that assignment so he could make the trip to Houston.

He's likely to pitch Saturday night in relief against the Royals after Collin McHugh starts. The Astros chose McCullers in the supplemental first round of the 2012 draft.

McCullers, the son of a major leaguer, was 3-6 with a 5.47 ERA last year at Class A Lancaster. He struck out two in a scoreless inning of relief in his only Grapefruit League appearance this spring. He also traveled with the team to his hometown of Tampa, Fla., but didn't get into the game against the Yankees.

McCullers was scheduled to start against the Marlins last Friday in a game that was rained out.

"You go into minor league camp, and you hope to get a chance to go to big league camp," he said. "I'm glad that all my hard work has really paid off and I made that impression and they gave me that shot to possibly throw this weekend."

Crane promotesCorpus franchise

Astros owner Jim Crane threw the ceremonial first pitch before the big league club's exhibition game against the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks at Whataburger Field on Thursday.

"As we've said, we want to keep high-quality teams in all of our minor league system," Crane said. "You're going to see that tonight. This Double-A team will give them a pretty good run for their money. Quality team, quality facilities throughout our organization.

"It's fun to get the big team in here to get the fans out to see everybody from this level all the way to the big leagues."

Crane's ownership group purchased the Hooks in 2013 from Ryan-Sanders Baseball, which is owned by the families of Nolan Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders

"It's here to stay," Crane told the Corpus Christi media. "We're happy to be here. We appreciate the fans. Hopefully, they'll be able to see the games on TV this year. We got the TV deal done with Direct TV and AT&T, so there will be a little more coverage. Hopefully, that will help us out with our fan base here.

"We love these fans that drive on up and see these kids make it through Double-A and Triple-A and then the majors. We kind of see Corpus as the Houston brand, and we really appreciate the dedication that the fans have here."

Feldman to startagainst Royals

Astros righthander Scott Feldman, scheduled to start the second game of the season Wednesday against the visiting Indians, will face the Royals on Friday night at Minute Maid Park.

Feldman is 0-2 with an 8.76 ERA this spring. He'll face Edinson Volquez, who is 1-3 with a 7.79 ERA.